Department of Government

Objectives of the Department

The Department of Government intends to educate students for tomorrow’s management and leadership positions in the public sector, including local governments, state governments, the federal government and nonprofit agencies through its online Master of Public Administration program. Public administrators in these positions are called upon to act professionally, responsibly and effectively as they pursue public purposes. The M.P.A. program is designed to fill the educational demands and needs for better-qualified public administrators. Both pre-service and in-service students seeking professional credentials are served by online courses, special research projects, internships and graduate assistantships. The program combines academic expertise with real-world experiences to provide students with outstanding opportunities to connect knowledge with practice. The M.P.A. requires 36 hours of coursework (three credit hours per course).

Graduate Faculty

Professors

• Charles F. Abel, J.D., Duquesne University, Ph.D., University of Maryland, Public Administration, Constitutional Law, Public Law
• Kwame Badu Antwi-Boasiako, Ph.D., Mississippi State University, Public Administration, Public Policy, International Relations
• Kenneth E. Collier, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, American Politics, Political Behavior, Public Opinion
• Richard J. Herzog, Ph.D., University of New Orleans, Public Administration, Public Policy
• Michael P. Tkacik, Ph.D., University of Maryland, International Law and Relations

Associate Professors

• Alan I. Baily, Ph.D., Louisiana State University, Political Philosophy, Comparative Politics
• Cindy Davis, J.D., University of Richmond, Ph.D., Florida Atlantic University, Public Administration and Administrative Law
• George R. Franks Jr., Ph.D., Texas A&M University, Organizational Theory, Management Leadership
• Steve E. Galatas, Ph.D., University of Missouri, Comparative Politics
• Donald M. Gooch, Ph.D., University of Missouri, American Politics, Public Policy, Public Law
• Julie Harrelson-Stephens, Ph.D., University of North Texas, International Politics, Political Economy, Human Rights
• Milton C. Hill, Ph.D., Sam Houston State University, Criminal Justice, Criminology
• Lee W. Payne, Ph.D., University of Houston, American Politics, Public Administration, Research Methodology
• Karren S. Price, J.D., Mississippi College School of Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Appellate Advocacy

Assistant Professors

• George J. Day, Ph.D., Sam Houston State University, Criminal Justice
• Charles E. Gregory, Ph.D., University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, American Politics and Methods

Graduate Assistantships

The M.P.A. program offers a limited number of graduate assistantships. Graduate assistants are assigned research projects, administrative duties and limited teaching assignments with faculty members in the Department of Government. Graduate assistants are considered part-time employees and are expected to work 20 hours per week. A student interested in a graduate assistantship should contact the M.P.A. program director well in advance of the semester in which she or he is interested in the assistantship.

Programs

• Public Administration, M.P.A.

• Public Administration Minor